India secured its third-ever Asian Games medal in Kurash on Monday after Pincky Balhara entered the women’s 78kg semifinal at the ongoing 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Balhara defeated South Korea’s Lim Garam 3-0 in the quarterfinal to assure India of a medal in the sport.
Balhara, who won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games, had exited in the quarterfinals at the 2022 Hangzhou edition. Her latest victory has secured another Asian Games medal for India in Kurash.
Ganesh advances in compound archery
India’s Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru also progressed to the quarterfinals of the men’s individual compound archery competition after defeating compatriot Sahil Jadhav 149-148 in a closely contested Round of 16 match.
The all-Indian contest went down to the wire, with both archers maintaining a high level of accuracy before Ganesh edged ahead in the closing stages.
Ganesh had earlier defeated Indonesia’s Sostar Andaru Rinaldi 144-142 in the Round of 32. He will face Chen Chieh-lun of Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals on October 1.
Jadhav had entered the Round of 16 after defeating Mongolia’s Jamiyangombo Purevdorj 149-137. However, his campaign ended against his Indian teammate.
Ganesh is now the lone Indian remaining in the men’s individual compound draw.
India’s archery contingent has already enjoyed a strong run in the team events, with all five Indian teams in action on Sunday progressing to the semifinals. The men’s and women’s recurve teams, along with the recurve mixed team, advanced to the last four, while the men’s and women’s compound teams also secured semifinal berths.
The compound individual competition will continue with the quarterfinals on October 1.
Sivaraj Babu bows out in surfing
Elsewhere on Day 9, India’s Sivaraj Babu exited the men’s shortboard surfing competition after losing 7.83-11.50 to the Philippines’ Alciso Jayuard in Round 3.
India’s men’s cricket team is also in action on Monday, taking on Afghanistan in the quarterfinal. The defending champions entered the knockout stage directly and will look to retain the gold medal won at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Several Indian athletes are also competing in medal events on Day 9. Avinash Sable will compete in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, while Murali Sreeshankar is in action in the men’s long jump. Yash Vir Singh and Rohit Yadav will compete in the men’s javelin throw, while Gulveer Singh will take part in the men’s 1500m.
In boxing, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain faces Republic of Korea’s Seong Suyeon in the women’s 75kg quarterfinal.
In shooting, Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh and Rahi Sarnobat will compete in the women’s 25m pistol qualification.
-ANI
